Plastic Container with Divider Sheets

ABSTRACT

A plastic container or shelf bin having a plurality of slots for holding divider sheets is provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/566,813 filed Dec. 5, 2011, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

N/A

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a plastic container or shelf bin having a plurality of slots for placement of one or more divider sheets, and more particularly to a molded plastic shelf bin having a plurality of slots for receiving divider sheets spanning a width of the bin and a plurality of slots for receiving divider sheets spanning a length of the bin to allow one to customize the bin into compartments.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Molded shelf bins are typically made to standard sizes and provide a single compartment for holding all items. Accordingly, when different goods are placed in a bin, there is no separation. Additionally, typical bins do not provide any indication when new product is needed.

The present invention provides an improved shelf bin that can be configured in a variety of ways using dividers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a plastic container or shelf bin having a plurality of slots for holding divider sheets. The slots can be molded into the side walls or end walls of the container or shelf bin. The container or shelf bin is used to hold goods or other items. One of the divider sheets can have an indicator, such as its color or indicia, to enable one inspecting the container or shelf bin to know when to order more goods or other items.

When one or more divider sheets are fitted into slots, the divider sheets create two or more compartments in the plastic bin. Moreover, the size of the compartments can be changed by moving the divider sheets to different slots in the side or end walls. In this manner, the compartments can be adjustable.

In accordance with one embodiment, a shelf bin or container with adjustable compartments comprises a bottom wall, a first side wall having a plurality of slots, a second side wall having a plurality of slots corresponding to the plurality of slots in the first side wall, a first end wall and a second end wall. A first divider sheet is positioned in a first one of the plurality of slots in the first side wall and a first one of the plurality of slots in the second side wall.

The container can include a second divider sheet in a second one of the plurality of slots in the first side wall and a second one of the plurality of slots in the second side wall. Alternatively, the container can further comprise a plurality of additional divider sheets in the plurality of slots.

The container can be molded plastic. Similarly, the divider sheets can be plastic. Additionally, the bottom wall, first side wall, second side wall, first end wall, second end wall, plurality of slots in the first side wall and plurality of slots in the second side wall are integrally connected. In this regard, the container is preferably a single pieces of molded plastic.

The divider sheet can perform other functions than simply creating compartments in the container. In this regard, the first divider can be provided as an indicator. The indicator could identify that more product must be ordered.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a container with adjustable compartments is provided. The container comprises a bottom wall, a first side wall having at least one slot, a second side wall having at least one slot corresponding to the at least one slot in the first side wall, a first end wall having at least one slot, and a second end wall having at least one slot corresponding to the at least one slot in the first end wall. A first divider sheet is positioned in one of the at least one slot in the first side wall and the at least one slot in the second side wall, and the at least one slot of the first end wall and the at least one slot of the second end wall.

The container can be formed having a plurality of slots in the first side wall and the second side wall. Similarly, the container can be formed having a plurality of slots in the first end wall and the second end wall.

The first divider sheet can be positioned in a first one of the plurality of slots in the first side wall and a corresponding slot in the second side wall. The container can further comprise a second divider sheet positioned in a second one of the plurality of slots in the first side wall and a corresponding slot in the second side wall.

Similarly, the first divider sheet can be positioned in a first one of the plurality of slots in the first end wall and a corresponding slot in the second end wall. The container can further comprise a second divider sheet positioned in a second one of the plurality of slots in the first end wall and a corresponding slot in the second end wall.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, a plastic container having adjustable compartments is provided. The container comprises a bottom wall having a first side, a second side, a first end and a second end, a first side wall extending upward from the first side of the bottom wall, a second side wall extending upward from the second side of the bottom wall, a first end wall extending upward from the first end of the bottom wall, and a second end wall extending upward from a second end of the bottom wall. A first slot is at a first position in the first side wall and a second slot is at a second position in the first side wall spaced from the first slot. A first slot is at a first position in the second side wall corresponding to the first position in the first side wall, and a second slot at a second position in the second side wall corresponding to the second slot in the first side wall. A first divider sheet is positioned in one of the first slot of the first side wall and the first slot of the second side wall, and the second slot of the first side wall and the second slot of the second side wall.

Further aspects of the invention are disclosed in the description of the invention, including the Figures and/or Attachments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container or shelf bin filled with goods and including a divider sheet in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an empty container of the present invention including a divider sheet spanning the width of the container;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an empty container of the present invention including a divider sheet spanning the length of the container;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an outline of an end of a container in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of an outline of a container in accordance with the present invention; and,

FIG. 6 is a side plan view of an outline of a container in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the Figures what will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

The Figures show aspects of the present plastic container or shelf bin having a plurality of slots for holding divider sheets. As is evident from the Figures, the slots can be arranged for the divider sheets to go from side to side (i.e., spanning the width), or end to end (i.e., spanning the length) of the container or shelf bin to create compartments of varying sizes and shapes. The divider sheet(s) can be moved to different slots to adjust or change the size/shape of the compartments.

Referring to FIG. 1, a container 10 is shown holding a plurality of goods (here bolts 12) in a first compartment 14 and in a second compartment 16. The compartments are separated by a divider sheet 18 acting as a wall between the compartments 14, 16.

The container 10 includes a first side wall 20 and an opposing side wall 22. The first side wall includes a plurality of slots 24 along an interior surface of the side wall 20, and the second side wall 22 includes a plurality of slots 26 along an interior side of the side wall 22. The slots 24 of the first side wall 20 are aligned with and face the slots 26 of the second side wall 22. Each pair of corresponding slots 24, 26 are spaced from the other pairs. The spacing can be equidistant or varied depending on the intended use of the container or other factors.

The divider sheet 18 is held in place by a first pair of slots 24, 26. The divider sheet spans across the width of the container 10. While the divider sheet 18 is shown as a solid piece, it can be a mesh or have other types of openings.

The container 10 also includes a first end wall 28 and an opposing second end wall 30. A spot 32 for holding an identification card is molded into the exterior side of the first end wall.

As shown in FIG. 2, the slots can be formed in two segments, an upper segment 34 and a lower segment 36. Additional segments can be added as necessary depending on the size of the bin and the structural strength required. Additionally, the slot can be a single segment and can extend a portion of the wall or the entire wall.

One or more slots 36, 38 can be formed on the first and second end walls 28, 30 (FIGS. 2 and 3 only show one pair of slots, however a plurality of slots can be formed in the container 10). These slots 36, 38 can be used for divider sheets 40 that extend the length of the container 10 from end 28 to end 30.

FIGS. 4-6 show additional views of the container 10.

Below are dimensions for some of the containers or shelf bins made in accordance with the present invention:

4″ Shelf Bins 12″ Depth: SB122-4 11⅝″ × 2¾″ × 4″ SB124-4 11⅝″ × 4⅛″ × 4″ SB126-4 11⅝″ × 6⅝″ × 4″ SB128-4 11⅝″ × 8⅜″ × 4″ SB1211-4 11⅝″ × 11⅛″ × 4″ 18″ Depth SB184-4 17⅞″ × 4⅛″ × 4″ SB186-4 17⅞″ × 6⅝″ × 4″ SB188-4 17⅞″ × 8⅜″ × 4″ SB1811-4 17⅞″ × 11⅛″ × 4″ 24″ Depth SB244-4 23⅝″ × 4⅛″ × 4″ SB246-4 23⅝″ × 6⅝″ × 4″ SB248-4 23⅝″ × 8⅜″ × 4″ SB2411-4 23⅝″ × 11⅛″ × 4″ 6″ Shelf Bins 12″ Depth: SB124-6 11⅝″ × 4⅛″ × 6″ SB126-6 11⅝″ × 6⅝″ × 6″ SB128-6 11⅝″ × 8⅜″ × 6″ SB1211-6 11⅝″ × 11⅛″ × 6 18″ Depth SB184-6 17⅞″ × 4⅛″ × 6″ SB186-6 17⅞″ × 6⅝″ × 6″ SB188-6 17⅞″ × 8⅜″ × 6″ SB1811-6 17⅞″ × 11⅛″ × 6

Black Width Dividers: DVSB4-4 3.673 × 3.504 × .160 DVSB6-4 6.173 × 3.504 × 0.160 DVSB8-4 7.923 × 3.494 × 0.160 DVSB11-4 10.673 × 3.484 × .160 DVSB4-6 3.665 × 5.494 × 0.180 DVSB6-6 6.165 × 5.494 × 0.180 DVSB8-6 7.915 × 5.484 × 0.180 DVSB11-6 10.665 × 5.484 × .180 Depth Dividers: DLSB12-4 10.866 × 3.504 × .230 DLSB18-4 17.116 × 3.504 × .230 DLSB24-4 22.866 × 3.494 × .230 DLSB12-6 10.874 × 5.494 × .230 DLSB18-6 17.124 × 5.494 × .230 Orange Width Dividers: DVSB4-4 3.673 × 3.504 × .160 DVSB6-4 6.173 × 3.504 × .160 DVSB8-4 7.923 × 3.494 × .160 DVSB11-4 10.673 × 3.484 × 160 DVSB4-6 3.665 × 5.494 × .180 DVSB6-6 6.165 × 5.494 × .180 DVSB8-6 7.915 × 5.484 × .180 DVSB11-6 10.665 × 5.484 × .180

Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be protected otherwise than as specifically described. 

We claim:
 1. A container with adjustable compartments comprising: a bottom wall; a first side wall having a plurality of slots; a second side wall having a plurality of slots corresponding to the plurality of slots in the first side wall; a first end wall; a second end wall; and, a first divider sheet in a first one of the plurality of slots in the first side wall and a first one of the plurality of slots in the second side wall.
 2. The container of claim 1 further comprising: a second divider sheet in a second one of the plurality of slots in the first side wall and a second one of the plurality of slots in the second side wall.
 3. The container of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of additional divider sheets in the plurality of slots.
 4. The container of claim 1 wherein the container is plastic.
 5. The container of claim 4 wherein the first divider sheet is plastic.
 6. The container of claim 4 wherein the bottom wall, first side wall, second side wall, first end wall, second end wall, plurality of slots in the first side wall and plurality of slots in the second side wall are integrally connected.
 7. The container of claim 1 wherein the plurality of slots in the first side wall are integrally formed in the first side wall and the plurality of slots in the second side wall are integrally formed in the second side wall.
 8. The container of claim 1 wherein the first divider is provided with an indicator.
 9. A container with adjustable compartments comprising: a bottom wall; a first side wall having at least one slot; a second side wall having at least one slot corresponding to the at least one slot in the first side wall; a first end wall having at least one slot; a second end wall having at least one slot corresponding to the at least one slot in the first end wall; and, a first divider sheet positioned in one of the at least one slot in the first side wall and the at least one slot in the second side wall, and the at least one slot of the first end wall and the at least one slot of the second end wall.
 10. The container of claim 9 having a plurality of slots in the first side wall and the second side wall.
 11. The container of claim 10 having a plurality of slots in the first end wall and the second end wall.
 12. The container of claim 11 wherein the first divider sheet is positioned in a first one of the plurality of slots in the first side wall and a corresponding slot in the second side wall and the container further comprising a second divider sheet positioned in a second one of the plurality of slots in the first side wall and a corresponding slot in the second side wall.
 13. The container of claim 11 wherein the first divider sheet is positioned in a first one of the plurality of slots in the first end wall and a corresponding slot in the second end wall and the container further comprising a second divider sheet positioned in a second one of the plurality of slots in the first end wall and a corresponding slot in the second end wall.
 14. The container of claim 9 wherein the container is plastic.
 15. The container of claim 14 wherein the first divider sheet is plastic.
 16. The container of claim 11 wherein the bottom wall, first side wall, second side wall, first end wall, second end wall, plurality of slots in the first side wall, plurality of slots in the second side wall, plurality of slots in the first end wall and plurality of slots in the second end wall are integrally connected.
 17. A plastic container with adjustable compartments comprising: a bottom wall having a first side, a second side, a first end and a second end; a first side wall extending upward from the first side of the bottom wall; a second side wall extending upward from the second side of the bottom wall; a first end wall extending upward from the first end of the bottom wall; a second end wall extending upward from a second end of the bottom wall; a first slot at a first position in the first side wall and a second slot at a second position in the first side wall spaced from the first slot; a first slot at a first position in the second side wall corresponding to the first position in the first side wall, and a second slot at a second position in the second side wall corresponding to the second slot in the first side wall; and, a first divider sheet positioned in one of the first slot of the first side wall and the first slot of the second side wall, and the second slot of the first side wall and the second slot of the second side wall.
 18. The container of claim 17 wherein the container is formed ned from plastic.
 19. The container of claim 18 wherein the first divider is plastic.
 20. The container of claim 17 further comprising a plurality of slots in the first side wall and a plurality of slots in the second side wall. 